Water leak detection system

Abstract

A water leak detection system for generating a control signal indicative of a water leak detection. The system is connectable to a power line carrying an AC power signal. The system includes a master unit connectable to the power line for generating the control signal indicative of a water leak detection. One or more slave units are connectable to the power line for communicating with the master unit. One or more sensors are connected to the slave unit for detecting a water leak. A communication system transmits and receives data signals between the master unit and each slave unit in the AC power signal. The communication system includes an encoder for encoding outbound data into the AC power signal using frequency shift keying (FSK) signals and a decoder for decoding inbound frequency shift keying (FSK) signals from the AC power signal.

1 . A water leak detection system for generating a control signal indicative of a water leak detection, the system being connectable to a power line carrying an AC power signal, the system comprising:
 a master unit connectable to the power line for generating the control signal indicative of a water leak detection;   one or more slave units connectable to the power line for communicating with the master unit;   one or more sensors for detecting a water leak, each sensor being connected to a slave unit; and   a communication system for transmitting and receiving data signals between the master unit and each slave unit in the AC power signal, the communication system including an encoder for encoding outbound data into the AC power signal using frequency shift keying (FSK) signals and a decoder for decoding inbound frequency shift keying (FSK) signals from the AC power signal.   
     
     
         2 . The water leak detection system of  claim 1 , further comprising a water valve connected to the master unit, the water valve being shut off in response to receiving the control signal from the master unit. 
     
     
         3 . The water leak detection system of  claim 1 , wherein the master unit further includes a temperature sensor for shutting off the valve when the ambient temperature reaches a predetermined limit. 
     
     
         4 . The water leak detection system of  claim 1 , wherein the master unit is connected to one or more water sensors for detecting a water leak. 
     
     
         5 . The water leak detection system of  claim 1 , wherein the master is connected to an existing alarm system. 
     
     
         6 . The water leak detection system of  claim 1 , wherein the master is programmed to shut off the water valve if the power line is shut down. 
     
     
         7 . The water leak detection system of  claim 1 , further comprising a status display unit connectable to the power line for communicating with the communication system, the display unit including light emitting diodes indicative of a status of the water leak detection system. 
     
     
         8 . The water leak detection system of  claim 7 , wherein the status display unit further comprises a reset button for resetting the water leak detection system after a water leak detection. 
     
     
         9 . The water leak detection system of  claim 1 , further comprising an ethernet modem connectable to the power line for communicating with the communication system, the modem being connected to a internet modem for transmitting alarm messages to the group including a cellular phone number, a land-line phone, an e- mail address and text message. 
     
     
         10 . The water leak detection system of  claim 1 , further comprising a phone modem connectable to the power line for communicating with the communication system, the modem being connected to a phone line for transmitting alarm messages through the phone line.